spider eating

Perils abound when you do field work in Southern Arizona. You have to seriously consider the possibility that you will run into a drug dealer in the middle of nowhere (sometimes armed to the teeth!), there’s a real risk of dehydration if you get stuck somewhere in the summer, and every now and then you almost walk face first right into one of these:

Spider eating grasshopper

I have to say that the glory of this beast is diminished when you notice it with just enough time to slam on the breaks before you end up with a large spider and its silk-wrapped grasshopper breakfast strewn across your nose. It’s much better enjoyed at a more leisurely pace. :)